Car Rim

Filed under: Trends, Etc.

Click on the above image for a photo gallery

Whether or not the foam-skinned car based on a Mercedes-Benz got your motor going yesterday, you have to give the artist credit for painstakingly completing not one, but two of these polyurethane-plated projects. Thanks to a reader’s tip, we found this BMW 6 Series-based interpretation wearing the same brilliant red paint, flashy 30-inch dubs, and dual triangulated exhaust tips.

While the sculptor has kept much of the Bangle-butt intact, the overall aesthetics on this execution are much more pleasing to the eye. A glance inside indicates this attempt isn’t as thorough as the other (the interior appears merely painted, not sculpted). However, as witnessed by the junk in the door-mounted map pocket, this one is getting some use on the streets too. Thanks for the tip Tarakonaz!

[Source: Omnitel.autos]

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Lamborghini

Click the Islero for a high-res gallery

For a car fan it’s always cool to be wandering around somewhere and stumble across an extremely rare automobile. That’s especially when it’s out on the road in a most unlikely of locales. My wife and I took a little road trip this weekend in the new Saab Turbo X (you’ll be hearing more about that soon!) to Yellow Springs, Ohio. For those unfamiliar with Yellow Springs, it’s a small town northeast of Dayton that is home to Antioch College and Dave Chappelle. As we were walking to get some dinner, I noticed a very red coupe with an extraordinarily long hood. It looked vaguely familiar, but I knew I had never seen one in the metal before. I grabbed my camera and started shooting away. It turns out the car was a GT known as the Lamborghini Islero. Isleros were built in 1968 and 69 following the end of the 400GT run and preceding the Jarama. Unfortunately for Lamborghini, the rather sedately-styled Islero didn’t have the flash of the gorgeous Miura that debuted in 1969 and it never sold in large numbers. According to Lamborghini, only 225 were built including 70 “S” models in 1969 with slight body changes and a more luxurious interior. The Islero was propelled by Lamborghini’s 4.0L 350hp V12. If the owner of this car sees this post please get in touch and share the story of your car.

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Filed under: Time Warp, Coupes, Auction Action, Ford, Motorcycles

Click above for more images of the 1923 V-Twin powered Model T

Ford’s ubiquitous Model T has seen its fair share of modifications over the years. Often powered by an engine other than what was originally designed for the large engine bay, countless variations of the hot rod theme have made Henry Ford’s original mass-market vehicle a highly desirable machine to customize. Today, we’ve stumbled across an entirely new way to power the T, and it’s just too cool not to share. Behind the custom spiderweb grille of this 1923 Ford Model T is a 1200cc V-Twin engine taken from the frame rails of a Harley-Davidson Sportster. Considering how little this vehicle is likely to weigh, the air-cooled twin cylinder mill with Screaming Eagle mods is probably plenty powerful to get the vehicle out of its own way. The owner used quite a few HD cues in the overall design and as many original parts from the donor bike as was possible. Note the dual rear shocks suspending the rear axle — those are from the Sportster, as well as the foot pegs which now see duty as the gas and brake pedals. Nice work.

[Source: eBay Motors via The Kneslider]

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Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Supercars, Audi

In the world of alternative power, not all fuels are created equal. This fact is true with ethanol, where the alcohol can be made using fairly inefficient processes, some of which involve corn, or using more advanced cellulosic methods which do not use a foodstock. Diesel too can come from either petroleum or from non-dino sources. You’re probably aware that Audi has been assaulting various race tracks using its advanced diesel powered race cars, specifically its two-time Le Mans-winning R10 TDI, which has so far been running on what is known as gas-to-liquid (GTL) diesel fuel. With the 24 Hours of Le Mans just around the corner, Audi and Shell, the fuel provider for Audi’s race team, have announced that the team will be blending a small amount of biomass-to-liquid (BTL) fuel into its secret mixture. Shell’s BTL fuel is made from materials such as wood chips and will make its on-track debut on Sunday, June 1, as Audi’s R10 TDI begins its official Le Mans testing.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R10 TDI using biofuel for the first time

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Wagons/Estates, Cadillac

Click above to enlarge

A Jalopnik reader purportedly got hold of a Harris Opinion Survey about the upcoming CTS wagon, and assuming it’s on the level, it brings forth a treasure trove of information. For example, as you can see above, it seems we now have a first look at official imagery of the CTS in 2-box guise. We like what we see…perhaps even more than we like the CTS Coupe. We especially dig the way those super-tall taillamps look from behind. We’ll reserve final judgement for whenever Cadillac officially unveils the car, but things appear to be proceeding very nicely.

Underhood, the doc tells us that it’s going to be direct-injected engines only. A 3.0L V6 producing 260 horses replaces the current, non-DI 3.6 as the base mill, with the now-familiar 304-horse 3.6L again assuming the top spot. Both will be connected to 6-speed automatics, and highway mileage is said to be 27 mpg. 25 cubic feet of your stuff will fit behind the second row, and if you flip those back seats down, cargo capacity increases to 58 cubes. A power liftgate ensures you won’t strain yourself opening the rear hatch. According to the leaked materials, pricing will range from $37,500 to $42,500.

Will Americans embrace a new luxury wagon? We’re gonna find out soon enough.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Porsche, Lifestyle

One thing some luxury-goods makers are missing out on are male-centric fragrances. Yankee Candle should come out with an entire “Garage Line” of scents like “Winter Ether,” “Hydrocarbon Bliss,” or the more subtle “Mustang Interior,” and “Exhaust.” There’s a veritable treasure trove of olfactory delight just waiting to be mined by a master nose. Porsche Design isn’t waiting for someone else to cash in on this brilliant plan, and the company is releasing its own line of products called “The Essence.” Porsche Design is a separate unit from our friends who screw together conveyances, and the firm focuses on industrial design when not fiddling with esters and bergamot. The scents are described as having a combination of cold metallic and warm organic tones, and will be available in aftershave, hair gel, body wash, and deodorant. Now, you can get all dolled up in your Porsche odorificness, slip on a Porsche polo shirt, and go drive that Boxster to the golf course while wearing Porsche sunglasses. Once there, of course, you’ll use Callaway clubs. Thanks for the tip, Tony!

[Site: Acquire]

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Filed under: Euro, Marketing/Advertising, Crossovers/CUVs, Dodge

Click above for a gallery of the Baby Made on Board promo materials

When we read the tip from reader Thijs B. telling us that in Belgium, Dodge is planning a Journey launch promo centered around backseat baby-making, we thought it was a big joke. So we started using our Google powers to see what else we could dig up. And guess what? It’s legit.

If you go to babymadeonboard.be, you’ll be greeted by the screen above, which features a play on those annoying “Baby On Board” window signs that were ubiquitous during the 80s. It’s paired with a countdown timer that will zero out on the weekend of June 14, which is when the Dodge Journey officially launches in Belgium. A quick WHOIS lookup on DNS.be reveals that the site’s domain name is registered to someone at the Brussels office of Proximity BBDO, a BBDO partner. BBDO is Chrysler’s ad agency.

More Googling led us to a Dodge press release posted on a Belgian media portal. The car is being targeted toward men, and its launch slogan roughly translates to “Become a father, stay a man.” According to the PR, Dodge suggests that “everyone try out the back seat of the Dodge Journey in a little unorthodox manner.” Well, that’s one way of getting folks to look past Chrysler’s lamentable interiors. People whose “backseat trial” is successful and subsequently produce a newborn child 9 months after the car’s launch weekend have a chance to win themselves a new Dodge Journey, and the baby’s picture will be posted to the website.

We don’t think that Dodge really wants people taking special test drives out of Belgian dealerships for the purpose of steaming up the windows the old fashioned way (we can imagine porters quitting en masse on June 13th if this were the case). This particular assignment can probably be completed at home, too. To help encourage people to take action, however, all Journey floor models will have those “Baby Made on Board” signs in their windows. If you’re in Belgium, are planning a family, and are in the market for a new car, you might want to (ahem) get to work on or around June 14. Maybe earlier. After all, a little practice never hurts. Thanks for the tip, Thijs!

[Source: Dodge Belgium]

Continue reading Belgium: Dodge wants you to steam up the windows in the Journey

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Euro, BMW

For those fond of delving deep into E90 minutiae, these are the best shots yet showing off the subtle changes coming to the BMW 3-series. For the rest of us, the tweaks are largely inconsequential. World Car Fans has unearthed some of the clearest shots yet, and the change that most people will notice are the taillamps, which look to get a slightly different shape. It even appears that the cutlines between the taillamp pieces on the trunklid won’t line up with the rest of the cluster mounted in the quarter panel - asymmetry. The mirrors look to gain large repeaters for the blinkers, possibly just a camouflage ruse, and minor updates likely go on inside and underhood, too. Also likely to be quite noticeable once the wraps come off is a reshaped front fascia, which appears to place foglamps next to the license plate. Overall, a mild refreshing until a new 3-series can be whipped up. In the meantime, the new 7 will set the template for BMWs to come.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Filed under: Economy, Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, UK

The Ford Ka has been a prime example that the Blue Oval can be successful at making little cars, even if they kind of look like basketball shoes. After 12 years of service, it’s time to shake things up a bit. The next Ka shares mechanicals with the stylish Fiat 500, and after scoping the first unofficial pics from Auto Express, the Ford will be just as cute as its Italian sibling. Designers did manage to heavily differentiate the Ka from the 500, skipping the rounded lines in favor of edgier lines and details that reinforce Ford of Europe’s styling language. Think micro-Fiesta, and you’ve got the picture.

Since it’s for European consumption, it’ll have no less than three powertrains from the get-go, with a 68 hp 1.2L, a 100 hp 1.4L, and a 1.3L, 50 mpg diesel. Rumor has it that a hotter Ka ST is on its way as well, with 150 hp coming from a turbocharged 1.4L engine. Interior refinement over the outgoing model comes courtesy of better materials and improved ergonomics.

We’re still a few months away from the Ka’s official unveiling at the Paris Auto Show in September, but we like what we see so far. Besides, if it’s good enough for Bond, it’ll be good enough for us. The Ka will be produced in Poland and it’ll go on sale in Europe by the end of the year.

[Source: Auto Express]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Videos, BMW

Click above to view the shoot-out between the BMW M3 and the Dinan 335i.

This is a head-to-head battle we’ve been waiting to see: BMW’s new M3 versus a Dinan-tuned 335i coupe. But we’re only going to talk numbers and let the video tell the tale.

The BMW 335i has proven itself as a credible player in the sports coupe segment, particularly with a tweaked ECU to extract maximum output from its twin-turbo’d 3.0-liter inline-six. Dinan announced its Stage 3 package a few months back, which includes a fully-adjustable suspension and a handful of engine mods that bring output up to 406 hp and a kidney-punishing 460 lb.-ft. of torque (at 4,300 RPM). But it doesn’t come cheap. All the necessary Dinan kit to get it up to Stage 3 spec (and get that nifty badge on the boot) costs around $14,000. But compared to the $71,000 $56,500 (no mark-up, no oxygen) base price of the new M3, it’s still a steal. While the M3 has the peak horsepower advantage, you can’t ignore the allure of the Dinan 335i’s torque and lower curb weight. Will it be enough to match the M3? Hit the jump to find out.

Continue reading VIDEO: WebridesTV pits the BMW M3 against the Dinan 335i

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